The Times of the Gentiles

[Anders G]

I am a bit confused regarding ”the times of the Gentiles”.

In BBI XI:28 (Revelation 12-14 Intro, Part 2), Tim says that ”the times of the Gentiles” will last until the beginning of the tribulation, when no more Gentiles will be saved. This is based on Rom 11 where it says that ”the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”:
[Rom 11:25-26 NKJV] 25 Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved.

However, in Luke 21 it seems as if the ”times of the Gentiles” lasts until Jesus’ return. This because ”the signs in the sun…” seem to follow immediately, and they will occur when Jesus returns:
[Luk 21:24-25 NKJV] 24 Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring.

Further, in Rev 11 John should not measure ”the court outside the temple” which seems to be during the first half of tribulation since there is worship in the temple:
[Rev 11:1-2 NKJV] 1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles.

However, in the next sentence, John talks about when the Gentiles will ”tread the holy city underfoot”, which must be the second half of the tribulation since it lasts for 42 months.
[Rev 11:2b NKJV] And they will tread the holy city underfoot [for] forty-two months.

So how can we reconcile all these Bible passages?

[Timothy]

Anders,

The “times of the Gentiles” in Luke 21:24 refers to the extent of the second (Roman) exile. Jerusalem being “trodden underfoot” is a statement that harkens back to the first Babylonian Exile, where Jerusalem was said to be in “desolation” (compare Lev. 26:33-34; 2 Chron. 36:20-21).

Jesus’ prediction in Luke 21 concerns the second exile and uses the term “desolation” once again (v. 20). As with the first 70-year desolation of Jerusalem was marked by the utter destruction and absence of the Temple, so also the second Roman exile is marked by the same thing, no Temple. You will know when the Roman exile ends, when Temple worship begins again, especially the “daily sacrifice” described in Rev. 11:1-2

IMO, the cosmic signs which follow the “times of the gentiles” refers to the entire 70th week. Also, in the first half of the week, we see that the Temple is restored and has worshippers at the altar. Consequently, the “desolation” of Jerusalem described in Luke 21 ends when Temple worship begins again. This Temple worship will continue under the direction of the 2 witnesses until they are killed 1260 days later. After that, Antichrist will tread Jerusalem underfoot for 42 months (Rev. 13:5).

[Anders G]

Thanks Tim!

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